‘We are working hard to follow up a number of lines of enquiry to identify the three women and understand exactly what has happened.
Chief Superintendent Adam Hays said: ‘I understand the impact this tragic incident has had on the local community and more widely.
‘This is a sensitive investigation and we know the public are keen to understand the full circumstances. But our priority at this time is identifying these three women and locating their families, who at this point remain unaware they have lost loved ones.
‘I would ask for people’s patience while we conduct these enquiries and to avoid speculation while this is ongoing.’
One nearby worker said: ‘Police were down earlier speaking to people from the club. Apparently their handbags were found on the beach along with a coat.
‘I saw coastguard officers searching for more of their personal belongings like phones.’
A seafront nightclub has released a statement following the discovery of the bodies of three women from the sea on Wednesday.
Quarters, which hosts themed nights, including a David Attenborough event on Tuesday, said: ‘We are aware of an incident that took place on Brighton Beach on Tuesday night.
‘Alongside all other local businesses and venues, we are supporting the police in their enquiries.’
Lifeboat crews and a coastguard helicopter continued scouring the water throughout the morning.
Police have the ‘extensive search’ has been wound down and they are not looking for anyone else.
Officers are now trawling through CCTV covering the area in a bid to ‘understand exactly what happened’.
Chief Superintendent Adam Hays told reporters: ‘This is a tragic incident, and we are in the very early stages of our inquiries.
‘Our priority right now is to identify all three women, contact their next to kin.
‘I know this incident will be highly distressing for the community and you’re working hard with our partners to understand exactly what has happened.
‘This includes gathering, viewing CCTV, the surrounding area, including the properties and the local businesses nearby.
‘Our partners of the Coast Guard have completed an extensive search of the water, and at this stage, we are not searching for anyone else.
‘We were asking the public to please stay away from the area while we work at the scene.’
Emergency equipment was spotted strewn across the stony beach, with officers also seen holding up an orange sheet to shield one of the bodies.
One walker told the Daily Mail: ‘It’s absolutely tragic. I heard they were found close to the shore and pulled out but nothing could be done to save them.
‘The conditions are not right for sea swimming today. It is very, very windy and there is a strong current that pushes people east from the pier.
‘It is not inconceivable the women went into the sea near the Brighton Palace Pier around half a mile away and got pushed this way. This just goes to show how dangerous it can be.’
The sea appeared choppy, with waves crashing against the marina wall.
The leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, Bella Sankey, has sent her condolences to the families of the three women
In a statement, she said: ‘I am shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the deaths of three women off the Brighton coast this morning.
‘My heart goes out to the friends and family of these women, and on behalf of Brighton and Hove I send sincere condolences.
‘I would also like to thank the emergency services for their quick response and combined efforts; it is heartbreaking that their recovery efforts have ended in such tragic circumstances.’
The ambulance service said it was called of ‘concern for the welfare of three women in the sea off Brighton’.
‘Ambulance crews and critical care paramedics attended and recovered three women from the water, but despite the best efforts of all those involved, they were declared deceased at the scene.’
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